Support structures for embolic filtering devices

An inner support structure for an embolic filtering device, the inner support structure comprising:

• a first support region including a substantially cylindrical tubular member having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end and a cavity therebetween, the exterior surface of the first support region having a first diameter, the first support region being substantially longitudinally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the inner support structure, a cross section of the cavity of the first support region which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner support structure having a substantially circular shape;
• a second support region including a substantially cylindrical tubular member having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, a lumen therebetween, and at least one slot extending substantially longitudinally throughout the length of the second support region, the exterior surface of the second support region having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter of the first support region, the second support region being substantially longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the inner support structure, a cross section of the lumen of the second support region which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner support structure having a substantially circular shape which is smaller than the cross section of the cavity of the first support region;
• a transition portion coupled to the second end of the first support region and the first end of the second support region, the transition portion forming a surface at the second end of the cavity of the first support region;
• and
• at least one deflectable tab positioned on the first support region.

An embolic filtering device, comprising:

• an elongate guide wire including a proximal end and a distal end;
• a marker band positioned on the guide wire within the distal portion of the guide wire;
• and
• an inner support structure rotatably mounted onto the distal portion of the guide wire, the inner support structure including,
• a proximal support region having a substantially cylindrical tubular member with an exterior surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a cavity therebetween, the exterior surface of the proximal support region having a first diameter, the proximal support region being substantially longitudinally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the inner support structure,
• a distal support region including a substantially cylindrical tubular member having an exterior surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therebetween, the exterior surface of the distal support region having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter of the proximal support region, the distal support region being substantially longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the inner support structure,
• a transition portion coupled to the distal end of the proximal support region and the proximal end of the distal support region, the transition portion forming a surface at the distal end of the cavity of the proximal support region, and
• at least one deflectable tab positioned on the proximal support region;
• wherein the inner support structure is positioned along the distal portion of the guide wire, the guide wire is positioned within the cavity of the proximal support region and the lumen of the distal support region, the marker band is positioned within the cavity of the proximal support region proximate the surface at the distal end of the cavity of the proximal support region;
• and
• wherein the at least one deflectable tab of the proximal support region is deflected radially into the cavity of the proximal support region, and an apex on the at least one deflectable tab projects into the cavity of the proximal support region at a position proximal to the marker band.

An inner support structure for an embolic filtering device, the inner support structure comprising:

• a stop assembly, including,
• a bushing portion having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end and a lumen therebetween, the lumen being substantially centered along a longitudinal axis of the bushing portion, the lumen being sized to receive and be coupled to a guide wire, a cavity being positioned on a surface at the second end of the bushing portion and substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the bushing portion, the cavity projecting into the bushing portion, the cavity having a first region with a first periphery proximate the second end of the bushing portion, and a second region with a second periphery larger than the first periphery positioned adjacent the first region, and
• a tubular sleeve having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and a lumen therebetween, the lumen being positioned substantially centered along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the lumen being sized to receive a guide wire with a clearance fit, the first end of the sleeve including an enlarged head having a periphery which is larger than the first periphery of the cavity of the bushing portion and smaller than the second periphery of the cavity of the bushing portion, the head having a length along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve which is less than a length of the second region of the cavity of the bushing portion, the exterior surface of the sleeve having a periphery smaller than the first periphery of the cavity of the bushing portion, the head of the sleeve being positioned within the second region of the cavity of the bushing portion and having a clearance fit therewith, the second end of the sleeve projecting from the cavity of the bushing portion;
• and
• an inner tubular member having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end and a lumen therebetween, a portion of the inner tubular member toward the first end of the inner tubular member being coupled to a portion of the sleeve of the stop assembly toward the second end of the sleeve.

An inner support structure for an embolic filtering device, the inner support structure comprising:

• a stop assembly, including,
• a bushing portion having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end and a lumen therebetween, the exterior surface of the bushing portion including a cylindrical shape which is substantially centered about a longitudinal axis of the bushing portion, the exterior surface of the bushing portion toward the first end of the bushing portion including a conical shape, the lumen being substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the bushing portion, the lumen being sized to receive and be coupled to a guide wire, a cavity being positioned on a surface at the second end of the bushing portion and substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the bushing portion, the cavity projecting into the bushing portion, the cavity having a first region with a first periphery proximate the second end of the bushing portion, and a second region with a second periphery larger than the first periphery positioned adjacent the first region, and
• a tubular sleeve having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and a lumen therebetween, the lumen being positioned substantially centered along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the lumen being sized to receive a guide wire with a clearance fit, the first end of the sleeve including an enlarged head having a periphery which is larger than the first periphery of the cavity of the bushing portion and smaller than the second periphery of the cavity of the bushing portion, the head having a length along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve which is less than a length of the second region of the cavity of the bushing portion, the exterior surface of the sleeve having a periphery smaller than the first periphery of the cavity of the bushing, the head of the sleeve being positioned within the second region of the cavity of the bushing portion and having a clearance fit therewith, the second end of the sleeve projecting from the cavity of the bushing portion;
• and
• an inner tubular member having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end and a lumen therebetween, a portion of the inner tubular member toward the first end of the inner tubular member being coupled to a portion of the sleeve of the stop assembly toward the second end of the sleeve.

An embolic filtering device, comprising:

• an elongate guide wire including a proximal end and a distal end, a distal portion of the guide wire having a coil shape;
• an inner support structure rotatably mounted onto the distal portion of the guide wire, the inner support structure including,
• a stop assembly, having,
• a bushing portion including an exterior surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therebetween, the exterior surface of the bushing portion including a cylindrical shape which is substantially centered about a longitudinal axis of the bushing portion, the exterior surface of the bushing portion toward the proximal end of the bushing portion including a conical shape, the lumen being substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the bushing portion, the lumen being sized to receive and be coupled to the guide wire, a cavity being positioned on a surface at the distal end of the bushing portion positioned substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the bushing portion, the cavity projecting into the bushing portion, the cavity having a distal region with a first periphery proximate the distal end of the bushing portion, and a proximal region with a second periphery larger than the first periphery positioned adjacent and proximal the first region, and
• a tubular sleeve including an exterior surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, the lumen being positioned substantially centered along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the lumen being sized to receive the guide wire with a clearance fit, the proximal end of the sleeve including an enlarged head having a periphery which is larger than the first periphery of the cavity of the bushing portion and smaller than the second periphery of the cavity of the bushing portion, the head having a length along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve which is less than a length of the proximal region of the cavity of the bushing portion, the exterior surface of the sleeve having a periphery smaller than the first periphery of the cavity of the bushing, the head of the sleeve being positioned within the proximal region of the cavity of the bushing portion and having a clearance fit therewith, the distal end of the sleeve projecting from the cavity of the bushing portion;
• and
• an inner tubular member having an exterior surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therebetween, a portion of the inner tubular member toward the proximal end of the inner tubular member being coupled to a portion of the sleeve of the stop assembly toward the distal end of the sleeve.

A method of coupling a strut of an embolic filtering device to a delivery device, comprising:

• providing a delivery device;
• providing a sleeve, the sleeve including,
• a longitudinal member having a central lumen extending substantially longitudinally throughout the length of the longitudinal member, the lumen being sized to receive a delivery device and being positioned substantially centered along a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member, and
• at least one peripheral lumen extending substantially longitudinally throughout the length of the longitudinal member and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member, the at least one peripheral lumen being sized to receive and retain a strut of an embolic filtering device;
• providing an embolic filtering device having at least one strut;
• inserting the at least one strut of the embolic filtering device into the at least one peripheral lumen of the sleeve;
• coupling the at least one strut of the embolic filtering device to the at least one peripheral lumen of the sleeve;
• inserting the delivery device into the central lumen of the sleeve;
• and
• coupling the sleeve to the delivery device.